Get to know the beloved horse Champion and the boy who loved him. Champion unfortunately lost his life in Winter Storm Atlas at Rainbow Bible Ranch.

It was September 2, 2011 that Caleb received this special gift on his 9th birthday. His name was Champion, named after Gene Autry’s famous movie horse. Two years later, Champion would fall victim to the October 4, 2013 blizzard dubbed Winter Storm Atlas. He died along with nearly one hundred other horses on the Lonetree Ranch and Rainbow Bible Ranch.

Tonight when we got home from Legacy III Bible Study, Caleb and I were sitting in the living room and Caleb said, “Dad, there was a song on the radio on the way home from town and it mentioned the word champion.” He stopped with tears welling up in his eyes, “I had sort of started to forget….”

Heartaches may be the fruit of experiences that seemingly have gone astray. However, memories can be nourished, just as the heart is softened, by tears. Not tears of regret and bitterness, but rather of gratitude and unknown possibilities. May our memories encourage us. May our dreams drive us. And may The Almighty sustain us in all.
We love you Caleb.

Dad and Mom

Photo by Robin Lee Reinhold